Suburban mom demands answers in her daughter's tragic death: 'I will never, ever be the same'

WHEATON, Ill. - Eight months after a west suburban woman was killed and left in the roadway in Wheaton, there are still no arrests or persons of interest in her case.

On January 2, 2023, Paige Donahue, 31, was struck by a car near Roosevelt Road and Crest Street. 

For the victim’s mother, not a day goes by that she doesn't carry immense pain over her daughter's tragic death.

"I will never, ever be the same in my life, never," said Traci Palucci, Donahue’s mom. "I know somebody knows something and I beg them, do the right thing."

Palucci is once again asking for the public’s help – determined not to let her daughter’s case go cold.

"Nobody should have to go through this. Nobody," said Palucci. "God I miss her, we miss her so bad. In fact, we were just talking about what we do for Christmas, and I don’t even know."

Donahue would have turned 32 years old just two weeks after her death, and in May, she was set to get married.

Now, a memorial with flowers near the site of the hit-and-run serves as a reminder of that fateful night.

Police are asking community members to think back to that evening, in hopes someone will remember key information.

Before she was struck by a vehicle, Donahue had stopped at the nearby 7-Eleven. The convenience store is located just a short distance from her apartment building.

Donahue had epilepsy and loved ones say she didn't drive because of it. 

"She was wearing a bright pink jacket that night," said Investigations Sgt. Patti Potter, Wheaton Police Department.

Just after 8 p.m., multiple people called 911 to report seeing Donahue in the middle of the road.

Police say Good Samaritans rushed to her aid and performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but sadly, it was too late. 

"I don’t know if she was scared, did she need me, did she look up, what was going through her head, I’ll never know," Palucci said through tears. "At least I know [the Good Samaritan] started CPR, she started and did the best that she could, and was there with my daughter."

The driver responsible for striking Donahue didn't stop.

"Nothing is going to bring Paige back, but the honor would be, in Paige’s name, to never let this happen to anybody else," said Palucci.  

Police scoured the area for evidence, but nearby surveillance video did not capture the car's license plates.

"We have watched hours and hours of surveillance video trying to find some answers," said Potter. "Somebody out there knows what happened to Paige that night, and we’re asking them to come forward. Paige’s family deserves answers in this."

Paige was a fierce advocate for epilepsy awareness – crafting and selling bracelets, and then donating the proceeds.

A beloved daughter, sister, aunt, fiancé, and so much more, Donahue will forever leave a mark on those who knew her.

"I can only pray and wish and hope that someday, maybe I’ll see her again because the thought of not being able to is just unbearable," said Palucci.

Anyone with any information about this incident should contact the Wheaton Police Department at 630-260-2199 or tips@wheaton.il.us. Anonymous tips can be shared at 1-800-222-8477.